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https://youtube.com/live/qzCwY3DS6ZA Success is often sold as the ultimate destination. Work harder. Make more money. Build the business. Buy the house. Reach the next milestone. Yet many people discover that after climbing the mountain, they still feel empty. That was one of the powerful themes discussed when entrepreneur, investor, author, and speaker Eddie Austin joined the 2000 Cubit Rule podcast. As the founder of JE Capital, Eddie has spent decades building businesses, investing in real estate, and helping others create wealth. But his story is about much more than money. It is about discovering the difference between financial success and true freedom. From Welder to Wealth Eddie's journey started far from the world of investing. Homeschooled as a teenager, he learned welding at just 12 years old and spent years working in the trades. Along the way, he noticed something that deeply impacted him. Many of the men he worked beside had dreams. They wanted to travel. Spend time with family. Enjoy retirement. Pursue the things they loved. But too often, they postponed those dreams until "someday." Many worked their entire lives only to discover they lacked the money, health, or time to enjoy the freedom they had hoped for. That realization planted a question in Eddie's mind: Is there a better way to build a life? The Problem With Chasing Success Like many entrepreneurs, Eddie became focused on achievement. Business growth. Financial goals. Material success. The next opportunity. The next milestone. But eventually he reached a point where he realized something wasn't right. Despite achieving many of the things he thought would bring fulfillment, he found himself feeling empty. The cars, the accomplishments, and the financial wins could not provide what he was truly searching for. Many business owners experience the same challenge. They spend years building a successful life only to discover they neglected the relationships, purpose, and calling that mattered most. The Turning Point One of the most powerful moments from Eddie's story happened during a difficult season. Facing challenges in business and life, he found himself pulled over on the side of the road in prayer. In that moment, he realized he had been trying to control everything. He had been gripping the steering wheel tightly, convinced that success depended entirely on his own effort. Then he surrendered. He literally placed his hands in his lap and told God: "I am taking my hands off the wheel." It became a defining moment in his journey. Not because he stopped working. Not because he stopped pursuing excellence. But because he stopped believing everything depended on him. The Missing Ingredient in Business One lesson emerged repeatedly throughout the conversation: Prayer is not a last resort. It is a business strategy. Eddie shared how he and his partners were working to save a struggling company while raising millions of dollars in investment capital. During the process, they began praying together consistently. Opportunities opened. Relationships formed. Funding appeared. Then something interesting happened. Once things started going well, they stopped praying as frequently. Progress slowed. Momentum disappeared. Eventually they recognized what had changed. The problem wasn't effort. The problem was dependence. Prayer had shifted from being a daily necessity to an occasional activity. The experience became a reminder that success should never replace dependence on God. Wealth as Stewardship One of the most refreshing aspects of Eddie's approach is that he doesn't view wealth as the end goal. He views it as stewardship. Money is a tool. Investments are tools. Businesses are tools. Real estate is a tool. The real question is whether those tools are being used for God's purposes. Biblical stewardship recognizes that everything ultimately belongs to God. We are managers, not owners. When viewed through that lens, wealth becomes less about accumulation and more about impact. How can we help people? How can we strengthen communities? How can we create opportunities for others? How can we advance God's purposes in the marketplace? Those questions change everything. True Freedom Looks Different Many people think freedom means having enough money to stop working. But true freedom runs much deeper. Freedom is living in alignment with God's purpose. Freedom is knowing your identity is not tied to your bank account. Freedom is having peace regardless of market conditions. Freedom is trusting God more than your circumstances. Freedom is being obedient even when the outcome is uncertain. That kind of freedom cannot be purchased. It can only be discovered through relationship with God. A Challenge for Christian Entrepreneurs If you're building a business, growing a ministry, or pursuing financial success, consider this question: Are you building wealth, or are you building a life? The two are not always the same. Success is not measured by what you accumulate. It is measured by faithfulness. The businesses that leave the greatest impact are often led by people who understand that profits matter, but purpose matters more. As Eddie reminded listeners, the goal is not simply to make money. The goal is to live a life of stewardship, freedom, and obedience. When those things are in place, success becomes a byproduct rather than the destination. And that's a wealth worth pursuing. Ready to simplify your business systems and create more margin for what matters most? The Farmwork helps Christian entrepreneurs streamline communication, automate follow-up, manage relationships, and build discipleship-driven businesses without juggling a dozen different tools. Learn how The Farmwork can help you focus on your calling while technology handles the busywork. CLICK HERE >>>

Eddie Austin – What Happens When You Finally Let God Take the Wheel

Dayn Benson – Praying in the New Year

Dayn Benson – Integrating Daily Prayer into Your Business